There are certain Patek Philippe wristwatches that can be considered the ultimate in terms of rarity, desirability, and aesthetic beauty. The stainless steel chronograph reference 530 - the oversized version of the hallowed ref. 130 - is without any doubt one of these. With less than 10 steel examples having ever appeared at auction or in literature, it is no wonder they have achieved an almost mythical reputation in the hearts and minds of watch collectors.
The present example is indeed one of this incredibly restricted production, and it boasts a number of traits which classify it as one of the most collectible of the known steel 530. Not only the dial presents an alluring two-tone finish, with the brushed outer track boldly contrasting with the center of the dial. Furthermore, it presents the Hausmann retailer signature on the dial, another mark of distinction which will enthral the collector. And, finally, it also presents the highly unusual peculiarity - fully confirmed by the Extract - of featuring gold numerals and hands. Hardly ever a Patek Philippe not cased in gold or steel and gold features gold numerals, with this incredibly rare specimen being one of the few indisputable exceptions. Furthermore, the dial impresses the beholder with its incredible freshness. That is because it was masterfully restored by Patek Philippe, who brought it back to its original glory respecting to the micrometer the original specifications. An incredibly accurate job - and respectful of the heritage of the piece - which could be done by no other but the original maker of the watch.
Compounding together its rarity, its attractiveness, the remarkable freshness of its dial and the definition of its case, the connoisseur will know without a doubt they are in the presence of a timepiece of gargantuan importance.
Reference 530 was first launched in 1937, and remains one of the rarest chronograph models manufactured by the firm. In terms of its case size, reference 530 is substantially bigger than its sister reference 130, measuring nearly 4 mm larger. The proportions in terms of its diameter, thickness, and placement of its lugs are symmetrical and perfectly balanced, demonstrating the mastery of design that has earned Patek Philippe its position at the top echelon of watchmaking companies.
Interestingly, the stainless steel chronograph reference 530 is known to have been made in case variants that differ most notably in terms of the distance between the lugs. The first generation, predominantly made in the late 1930s and always seen with the sector dial design, features a 19mm gap between lugs, whereas the second version, exemplified by the present piece and made by Georges Croisier, boasted a substantial gap of 21.5mm giving the watch an even more prominent look. Patek Philippe produced yellow and rose gold versions of reference 530 for over two decades, but a very small number were manufactured in stainless steel during the 1940s – a period of wartime that made low-cost steel models more accessible. With so few existent in the world, and considering the present example’s combination of virtues that tick virtually every box for the discerning collector, it most certainly is a watch worthy of crowning the world’s most important collections.